History Of General Santos City

One thing consistently present in history since the arrival of Christian settlers is the vast potential of
the city. This has continually become more attractive until now... with the presence of world class
infrastructures, its fast growing economy and continued government dynamism and civil society
support. On February 27, 1939, the Christian settlers landed on the shores of the beautiful Sarangani
Bay led by General Paulino Santos with the 62 first batchers. In January 1948, Buayan District
became a full pledged municipality as provided by Republic Act #82 with NLSA Hospital
Administrator, Ireneo I. Santiago as its first mayor. The municipality was renamed - in honor of its
great pioneer - to General Santos. The administration Mayor Pedro Acharon, Sr. concerned itself
with the barrio programs of President Magsaysay. Through the PACD (Presidential Assistance for
Community Development), feeder roads connecting the remote barrios to the national highways were
built. Artesian wells were established to solve the problem of water supply among the rural folks.
Likewise, he finished the projects started by mayor Santiago particularly Makar Wharf which was
declared an open port of entry in 1959. The Buayan airport was also rehabilitated from the ruins of
the war during his term. Economic growth however, gained a very significant momentum when Mayor
Lucio A. Velayo took over from 1963-1967. during this time, multi-million agri-based corporations
such as Dole Phils., General Milling Corp. and UDAGRI started operations in the area.

The City of General Santos was officially created on July 8, 1968 by virtue of Republic Act 5412.
Knowing the people's desire to keep the name of General Santos, Hon. Congressman James L.
Chiongbian worked for the approval of Republic Act 5412...converting the municipality of General
Santos into a city without changing its name. The city was then inaugurated on September 5, 1968
with its incumbent mayor -- Hon. Antonio C. Acharon as the first City Mayor. From that time until
1986, Mayor Acharon led the progress of Gen. Santos from a Third Class City to First Class A. The
agriculture and fishing industry flourished during his time. This earned a place for General Santos City
in the international market.

The historic EDSA Revolution, in February 1986, changed the political history of GenSan. Mayor
Acharon was relieved by the Ministry of Local Government and Hon. Dominador A. Lagare was
appointed as OIC City Mayor. With the local government's dynamism and support under the
leadership of Hon. mayor Rosalita T. Nuez, GenSan became a Highly Urbanized City. The city
earned for itself the nickname "Boom City of the South" and also firmed up its mark in the
international market as an exporter of tropical fruits, yellow fin tuna, prawn and copra.

GenSan continued to grow as an influential economic center from 1992-1995 through the expertise in
planing and economics of Hon. Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino. He promoted the SOCSKSARGEN,
(South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) growth region - a unified force with
redefined geographical boundaries and economic borders. this is further boosted by the
implementation of the Philippine Assistance Program (PAP) Projects like the New General Santos
International-Standard Airport, Makar Wharf Development, Agro-Fishing Port Complex and a well-
paved road network connecting General Santos City to South Cotabato and Sarangani.

During the May 8, 1995 elections, former mayor Rosalita T. Nuez returned as Mayor. With the use of
paper and pen, she contributed to the improvement of relationship between Christians and Muslims
through her book "Roots of Conflict in Mindanao". The medium term development plan, GENSAN
2000: War Against Poverty, directed sustainable development through the implementation of its core
programs: the Social Reform Agenda, Economic Reform and Environmental Reform.

Hosting of the Palarong Pambansa and the 1st BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in 1996 highlighted
the city's capability for social and economic growth, and as an active partner in national development
endeavors. the EAGA Games was participated by the eight focus areas of the BIMP-EAGA member
countries namely: Brunei Darussalam, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, North Sulawesi of
Indonesia, Labuan, Sarawak, Sabah of Malaysia and Mindanao-Palawan of Philippines. these events
were economic development "boosters" which has a net effect of promoting the city as a tourist
destination and investor's haven for manufacturing, exports, services and real estate.

In the May 11, 1998 elections, Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino returned as City Mayor of General
Santos. His administration was guided by Project FIRST - Fast Integrated Reform for Social
Transformation. This concept anchors on improving accessibility to basic social services and ensuring
that development becomes sustainable. The means will be through Shelter, Health, Education,
Environment and Peace and Order or SHEEP Program. A new program -- Developing Rural
Investments and Village Enterprises (DRIVE) -- was also developed as his administration's support to
national economic development.

The ongoing clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Moro rebels in some portions of
Mindanao reached the commercial district of the city. Alleged Moro rebels penetrated the GSC Hall
with the explosion of 2 bombs on May 3, followed by several simultaneous bombs at the commercial
district on May 6 and some other minor attacks and failed attempts. The City immediately established
a Crisis Center, strengthened its security and intelligence efforts.for some time then, the impression
of peace and order problem haunted the city with its local and international bad publicity. But the
fundamental advantage with its world-class infrastructures, wide and well designed road network, fast
growing economy and continued government dynamism and civil society support cannot be rocked by
this bombing.

In the national scene, January 20, 2001, then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took oath as
the 14th president of the Philippines. This was the result of the People Power II or massive call for
then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada to resign triggered by disrupted 1st Impeachment Trial in
Asia.

On February 2, 2001, Hon. Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino resigned as the duly elected City Mayor of
General Santos. It was his symbolic way of concluding his political life, but not closing the door for
public service. Then Hon. Vice Mayor Pedro "Jun" B. Acharon, Jr. took-over as the City Mayor. Mayor
Acharon vowed to continue his predecessor's programs under his own advocacy - GenSan First. This
is guided by his three-point program of government (Social and Community Development Program,
Economic Development Program and good Governance). Hon. Pedro Acharon Jr. was then elected
as Mayor during the may 2001 election and took oath last June 29, 2001. He was joined by the
majority of his partymates in the City Council. The new representative for the 1st District of South
Cotabato and Gen. Santos City is Hon. Darlene magnolia r. Antonino-Custodio.
In May 2004, Hon Mayor Acharon and his partymates were successfully re-elected including Rep.
Darlene A. Custodio. This second term has opened new economic opportunities for the whole
constituents with the re-establishment of the KCC Mall and the expansion of Gaisano Mall.

Major city thoroughfares were expanded. The Population and Basic Services (PBS) Integrated survey
were held in the later part of the year.

The 2nd Yaman Gensan and 5th National Tuna festival saw renewed confidence from the local
economic players and visitors.
2005 was a year marked by important milestones for the city having hosted important national-level
events: Mindanao ICT Congress, Philippines Society of Agricultural Engineers and United Architects
of the Philippines National Conventions. The countrys leading fast food chains have opened markets
in the city. In 2005, it witnessed the re-opening of the Lions Beach to the public for beach and
outdoors reveling. The new Eusebio Bulaong Public Transport Terminal was officially opened. The
Citys program on Total Quality Service (TQS) was also institutionalized.

For the third time. Hon. Mayor Jun Acharon won the local mayoral race together with his ticketmate ,
Hon. Vice-Mayor Florentina Congson. Eleven (11) councilors under their tickets were also elected.
This year also saw the institutionalization of the City Development Strategies (Good Governance,
Livability, Competitiveness and Bankability) as implemented in accordance with the GENSAN
S.H.E.E.P (Social Transformation, Human Empowerment, Economic Diversification, Environment
Regeneration, and Participatory Governance) Agenda.

To improve city competitiveness and livability, a new traffic system was put in place along the
junctions of Magsaysay Avenue and Pioneer Avenue as wee as in P. Acharon Boulevard. The
General Santos City Children s Park was also opened to the delight of the kids and their families.
The year was also happily intersped by four flagship festivals. During the first quarter, the Kalilangan
festival was celebrated in February to the mark the city 68th Foundation Anniversary.

The month-long business celebration dubbed as yabong Maliit na Negosyp or yaman GenSan
formally opened on June 22, 2007 in the premiere port of General Santos.

September 5, 2007 remarked the 39th Charter anniversary of General Santos City. It also serves as
the culmination of the week-long 9th Tuna Festival which honors the industry thathas placed the
million people in the map.

The simultaneous lightning up of the Christmas tree displays and pavilions at the city oval plaza
ushers the start of the Christmas festival or the pasko sa GenSan 2007 on the night of December 3,
2007.

In June 2010, Hon. Mayor Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio, after serving the First District of
South Cotabato for nine years, won as the new mayor of General Santos City, together with Hon.
Vice-Mayor Shirlyn Bans-Nograles and councilors. Then the City Mayor for nine years, now
Congressman Hon. Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. is the new Represenattive of the First District South
Cotabato and General Santos City.